Ray Edward Bartley

Ray Bartley, a resident of Sand Springs was born March 29, 1921 in Taney County, Missouri to Mary Ellen Bartley and Alex J. I. Bartley. Ray was raised and attended schools at the Leroy and Tangle Wood Schools in the old Keystone Area. Ray began working on the family farm at a very young age.

Ray entered the U.S. Air Corp November 6, 1942. During the service of his country Ray was trained as an Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic and was a part of the 235th AAF Base Unit. Ray was discharged from the military on April 17, 1944

After his return from World War II, he moved to Sand Springs, Oklahoma. On August 17, 1946 Ray was united in marriage to Wilma Jean Willis at Independence, Kansas. Ray and Wilma made their initial home in the Old Keystone Area. They also lived numerous places following the oil industry which include Salinas, California, Farmington, New Mexico, Sweetwater, Texas before finally settling in the Keystone Area.

In 1964 Ray began working at the Hissom Memorial Center as a care attendant. Ray continued to work there until his retirement in 1983 after 19 years. Ray was later united in marriage to Ruth Ethel (Warner) in Nole, Missouri in 1968.

Ray always enjoyed taking an extended vacation to his daughterís home in Sulphur, Oklahoma. Ray was also a member of the Oak Hill Church on Keystone Lake for many years.

Ray passed away Wednesday, July 27, 2005 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 84 years 3 months and 28 days. He was preceded in death by his parents; two wives Wilma Jean (Willis), Ruth Ethel Bartley, two brothers Thomas Bartley and Fount Bartley.

Ray is survived by his six children, Gary Bartley of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Deborah and her husband Kenny Lowrance of Sulphur, Oklahoma; Rhonda and her husband Jerry Nance of Tulsa, Oklahoma; David and his wife Karen Bartley of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Delores Evans of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Laney and his wife Rebecca Bartley of Tulsa, Oklahoma; one brother Vernon Bartley of Sand Springs, Oklahoma; one sister Vinita Comer of Cleveland, Oklahoma; nine grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held Friday July 29, 2005 at 2:00 pm in the Sanctuary of the Oak Hill Church on Keystone Lake with Rev. Harrel Jones officiating. Burial will follow in the Woodland Memorial Cemetery in Sand Springs, Oklahoma under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home, Inc.

Visit an online obituary and guestbook for Ray Bartley at www.chapman-black.com.